In front of a raucous home crowd, the host nation led 5-1 before the Russians fought back valiantly, but the home side eventually battled to a tense 5-4 victory to the delight of the 19,014 fans inside the Air Canada centre in Toronto.

"I really wanted to help Canada get back on top, and everyone did their part," captain Curtis Lazar said.

"We had the momentum and we let it slip away a little bit but we hung in there. To be world champions is amazing."

Canada - chasing a 16th title - surged into an early lead as Anthony Duclair opened the scoring after just 23 seconds, before Nick Paul doubled their advantage.

Dmitri Yudin pulled one back for the Russians towards the end of the first period which gave them renewed belief, but a pulsating second period followed in which the Canadians looked to have all but sealed the gold.

Connor McDavid broke clean through to extend his side's lead to 3-1, and they had further breathing space when Max Domi added a fourth.

Sam Reinhart was then on hand to follow up Domi's effort and at that point, it appeared to be a case of how many the Canadians would win by.

To their credit, Russia launched a spirited fightback to set up a tense finale. Ivan Barbashyov pulled one back and the game was well and truly on when Sergei Tolchinski made it 5-3.

Canada battled to victory at the Ice Hockey World Junior Championships in Toronto despite a spirited comeback from Russia in a gripping final ©Getty Images



A fourth Russian goal late on in the second period, scored by Nikolai Godolbin, gave his side hope that they could turn it around but they were unable to find the net in the final period as the hosts ran out winners in a fascinating final.

"Russia are a team that never quits," Canada's Josh Morrissey said.

"We got a little complacent out there in the second period but I'm proud of the way we responded and we really locked it down in the third.

"It was more exciting than it had to be but I'll never forget it."

In the bronze medal match, Slovakia beat Sweden 4-2 to earn their first podium finish since 1999.

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